Page 34 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
Why did guys think it was okay to mess with girls’ heads just for their own amusement?
I caught Jesse before he walked out the front door and grabbed his arm to stop him. He turned to face me with his brows raised. As if to say,how dare you? So arrogant. So cocky. Just like Ridge. They might not have grown up together, but the family resemblance was strong.
I poked my finger at his chest and narrowed my eyes at him. “If you ever hurt my friend again, I’ll cut off your dick, spit-roast it, and force-feed it to you until you’re gagging on it.”
His eyes widened a fraction, slightly taken aback by my words, and then… he smiled. The asshole wassmiling. “You think that’sfunny?”
Jesse shook his head. “No. Not at all. I think you’re a good friend. And nobody deserves a good friend more than Quinn.”
At least we agreed on something.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Evie
When I walkedthrough the front door after work the next day, my mother was passed out on the ratty floral sofa, and Wren was parked in front of the TV. As soon as Wren saw me, she jumped to her feet and ran to me.
“Are you hungry, little monster?” I asked as I put away the groceries I’d bought on the way home.
“Monster hungry. Chomp. Chomp.” She grabbed my hand and pretended to take a bite and chew. I loved my little monster. She was only two and a half years old, but she was so smart.
“I just need to take a shower first.”
She trailed me to the bathroom and sat on the floor playing with her toys while I showered, then followed me into the kitchen and danced to the music playing from my phone while I mopped up the spilled apple juice on the kitchen floor.
After I washed the sink full of dirty dishes, I cooked dinner—Kraft mac and cheese with frozen peas. Not exactly gourmet but Wren loved it, especially smothered in ketchup.
We’d just finished eating when my mom wandered into the kitchen with a cigarette clamped between her fingers dressed for work in a leopard print dress that barely covered her ass, winged eyeliner, and enough hairspray to kill the ozone layer.
“Wren, baby, go watch some TV now. I need to talk to your sister.”
“You miss her, Mommy?”
“Yeah, I missed her.” My mom shooed her with her hand. “Go on now.”
Wren did as she was told.
Mom leaned her bony hip against the counter, took a drag, and blew the smoke toward the ripped screen door before she spoke. “Listen, baby, Wade thinks you stole money from him.”
I gritted my teeth. Here we go again. “Well, I didn’t.”
She shrugged one thin shoulder like it was out of her control. “He thinks you did.”
I threw our dishes and forks in the sink and turned to face her. “Why don’t you just tell him the truth? Thatyoustole the money from him?”
She rolled her eyes as if I was being overly dramatic. “Just deal with him. He’s coming by later to collect. I’m going to work.”
“Mom,” I gritted out. “What am I supposed to tell him when he asks for the money?”
She waved her hand in the air like she was swatting away a pesky fly. I heard the door close behind her a few seconds later and dropped my head in my hands, letting out a frustrated scream.
Why did she always pull this shit and expect me to take the fall? I looked up at the ceiling.Why, God, why?
But God never heard my prayers. If He did, the same shit wouldn’t keep happening over and over. Was it a test? That must be it. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
Mission accomplished. By now, I must be ironclad and bulletproof. Step aside, Tony Stark, Iron Woman is in the house.
Small arms wrapped around my legs and Wren’s sweet little voice said, “E-bee. Lub you.” As if she sensed I needed the support.
